Senior Gift Campaign to Benefit KSL Café

The 2011 Senior Class Gift Campaign officially kicks off its fundraising effort during Grad Fair, which starts today in the Case Western Reserve University Bookstore. The campaign was created to show seniors the impact private gifts have on the university and to increase participation in the tradition of giving at Case Western Reserve.

This year’s Senior Class Gift Campaign will benefit Cramelot,the new café at Kelvin Smith Library. The senior class chose the project because members of the Class of 2011 were actively involved in the creation of the library’s café and feel it will be an important addition to campus life. Gifts to the campaign will go toward a table set for the café that will feature the class logo and donor names. Sample images of the gift can be seen at Grad Fair and other events the Senior Class Gift committee will be attending. Read more.

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Radiation from Japan Detected on Campus

In a finding that’s making national headlines, researchers at Case Western Reserve University have detected tiny amounts of Iodine 131 from Japan in rainwater collected from the roof of the A.W. Smith Building.

Gerald Matisoff, professor of geology, said the presence of the isotope presents no danger to human health. He estimated the level of radiation is about one-tenth that of natural background radiation.

“In theory, the Iodine 131 could have come from any radioactive waste processing facility,” Matisoff said. “But, we know it’s from Japan. The isotope is being seen worldwide.” Read more.

Campus News

Individuals and groups hosting special events this spring should go to Case Police & Security Services’ website to note the requirements for hiring police or security for an event. You must give at least five days’ notice to hire a guard to have a guaranteed presence. A request submitted fewer than five days in advance cannot guarantee coverage. Call Karen Gregor at 216.368.6811 with any questions.

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On your mark, get set, think…fast. A new question of the week launches today on the Think news site. Members of the campus community—students, faculty, staff, alumni, anyone with a Case ID—can flex their intellectual muscle in this semester-long contest. The competition features weekly multiple-choice questions on subjects ranging from religion to rocket science. The winner gets an end-of-semester article in The Daily and, more important, some serious bragging rights. Join the competition and bookmark the page to play every week.

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Volunteers are needed for the Science is Fun! family day on campus, to be held April 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Individuals who enjoy science and working with the public are encouraged to volunteer. Call 216.368.5075 or email kmk21@case.edu for more information.

For Faculty and Staff

The Relay for Life Staff and Faculty Team will host a Dress Down Day fundraiser on Wednesday, April 6. Staff and faculty members can donate $5 for the privilege of “dressing down” (wearing jeans or other casual attire) on April 6. This event will raise money for the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer and promote CWRU staff and faculty’s commitment to this cause. To participate, make a secure donation online to the Relay for Life Faculty and Staff Team or drop off your $5 donation (please bring exact change) at one of the “Dress Down Day” locations: the Student Activities & Leadership Office in Thwing Center, the Student Affairs Office in Adelbert Hall 110 or the Department of Human Resources in Crawford Hall 304. Donations will be collected until April 5. Those who do not want to participate in Dress Down Day but want to join the team are welcome.

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The Writing Resource Center is offering a brief faculty surveyto help understand the ways students use the center and to improve its services. Faculty members are strongly encouraged to participate. The survey should take no more than five minutes. Take it online.

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Erica Merritt from the Office of Human Resources will lead Powerful Presentations, an interactive workshop to show how to create and deliver informative, engaging and well-designed presentations. During the workshop, held in Crawford Hall Room 209 on March 30 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., attendees will see examples of effective and ineffective presentations and develop more competence and confidence to deliver powerful presentations. Note: This is not a computer workshop. Register here.

For Students

RePlay for Kids is hosting a toy repair and modification workshop Tuesday, April 5 from 4 to 6 p.m. in Nord Hall 310. Individuals attending will help adapt toys so children with disabilities can use them. If interested, email or stop by any time between 4 and 6 p.m.

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The deadline for abstracts for the Biomedical Graduate Student Symposium has been extended to April 1. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top presenters. For more information and to submit, go online.

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Words Matter is hosting a panel discussion on the impact of derogatory language April 1 at 12:30 p.m. in Nord Hall 400. Free pizza will be provided, and extra credit will be offered for some courses; ask your professor. Email MLL42@case.edu with questions.

Events

Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU) will host a “Lunch & Learn" informational meeting April 5 at noon in Adelbert Hall’s Toepfer Room, located on the second floor. The meeting will provide faculty, staff and students a chance to learn more about programs and services offered by BVU, such as the board matching service program, volunteer consulting and service projects, the Linking New Leaders program and the Global Youth Service Day. Participants should bring their lunches and drinks to enjoy during the event. To RSVP, contact Maureen Kendel at 216.368.1723 or via email by March 31.

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Adobe will present the first of three hands-on workshops, "Photoshop for the Absolute Beginner," today from noon to 1:30 p.m. These classes, open to the university community, are designed to familiarize the beginner with Adobe creative tools to be used during CollabTech on May 5. Each workshop is a standalone 90-minute web session. To participate, log in to the Adobe Connect session, and then listen via computer or dial in to the audio-conferencing line. Sessions will be recorded and available to the campus community afterward. For registration and workshop details, click here.

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Mark your calendars—the annual Case for Community Day will be held Friday, Sept. 16. Join hundreds of faculty, staff and students as volunteers in the Greater University Circle community. Since 2003, nearly 4,000 CWRU faculty, staff and students have invested 10,000 hours of volunteer service for 500 service projects throughout the Greater Cleveland community—an economic value of $208,500. In addition, over the past eight years, local businesses and residents received in-kind donations and services worth approximately $640,000 from Case Western Reserve University. The impact of CFCD extends far beyond the one day of volunteer service in the Greater Cleveland region as new relationships are formed or strengthened among our faculty, staff and students with community organizations. Check the website this summer for event details and registration.

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Case Western Reserve University’s Lambda Law Students Association is hosting a workshop, with the assistance of Professor Joan Burda, for low-income elders who want to plan for end-of-life issues. The workshop will cover basic wills, healthcare powers of attorney and more, and is free and open to all members of the public. The event will take place April 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the law school. For more information, email Ruth Dickey.

The views and opinions of those invited to speak on campus do not necessarily reflect the views of the university administration or any other segment of the university community.

Et al.

Jamie Hora

Spartan baseball sophomore pitcher Jamie Hora was named University Athletic Association Pitcher of the Week last week. The award came two days after Hora tossed a complete-game two-hitter to lead the Spartans to a 6-0 victory versus Ohio Wesleyan University.

Additionally, four members of the baseball team were selected to the 2011 University Athletic Association All-Tournament Team. The honorees are senior third baseman Chad Mullins,senior catcher Steve Bills,junior outfielder Sam Alexander andsophomore shortstop Matt Keen.

March 29, 2011

A daily newsletter published by the Office of Marketing & Communications, Case Western Reserve University. Submit items for inclusion to: case-daily@case.edu.

In the News

USA Today, March 29, 2011
Here on campus, geology professor Gerald Matisoff found trace amounts of radiation from Japan in rainwater collected on the top of the A.W. Smith Building, but it was such a small amount that its presence is not dangerous to people.

truTV’s In Session, March 25, 2011
In a live interview, Paul Giannelli, Albert J. Weatherhead III and Richard W. Weatherhead Professor of Law, discusses the decomposition evidence being used in the hearings of Casey Anthony, the Florida mother accused of killing her 2-year-old daughter.

WEWS, March 28, 2011
The new Nintendo 3DS, a 3-D version of the handheld gaming system, includes a warning that children under 6 who view 3-D images may experience vision damage. Thomas L. Steinemann, Case Western Reserve University professor of ophthalmology, hasn’t seen the damage. “We're not seeing an influx of people coming in with a vast array of eye complaints, saying ‘Oh, I went and used this device or I went to this movie and my eyes are messed up,’” he said.

Higher Ed News

The Huffington Post, March 28, 2011
A 12-year-old attending Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis has swept the web by teaching the techniques of integration for Calculus 2 on his parents’ home window. At IUPUI, there is a movement to get him on board as a paid research assistant.